Why I’m Starting InnerNorth
Why I’m Starting InnerNorth
I’ve spent the last 25+ years building a career in technology services — leading teams, managing crises, solving complex problems for global organizations. It’s been a good run. I’ve learned a lot, traveled the world, worked with incredible people across cultures and time zones. But as I’ve grown in my career, I’ve realized I do my best work when it’s deeply personal — when I’m working directly with leaders and teams who are navigating real challenges.
I found myself asking what kind of impact I wanted to have long-term, and what it would look like to focus exclusively on work that aligns with my values. Don’t get me wrong — I’m grateful for the career I’ve had. It’s paid the bills, supported my family, and taught me more than I could have imagined. But as I’ve gotten older and my kids have grown, I’ve started asking myself a different question: What if I could put that same energy, that same commitment, into something I truly believe in?
That’s why I started InnerNorth.
The Real Reason
Here’s the truth: I want to work with people and organizations that share my values. I want to serve leaders who care about doing right by their teams, who believe that businesses can grow without compromising their integrity, and who understand that the best outcomes come from putting people first.
I’ve spent 16 years balancing work and raising my kids — working hard to provide for them, to give them opportunities I didn’t always have growing up. My dad worked long hours to take care of our family. He showed me what hard work looks like, what it means to earn what you get, and why taking care of your family matters more than anything else. Those lessons stuck with me.
But now my kids are older. They’re finding their own paths. And I’ve realized that if I’m going to keep pouring this much of myself into work, I want it to be my work. I want my blood, sweat, and tears to go into building something that’s fully mine — where I can serve the clients I choose and focus on the impact that matters most to me.
What I’ve Learned
Over two decades in global business, I’ve learned a few things:
• Good leadership is about service, not status. The best leaders I’ve worked with were the ones who showed up for their teams, listened more than they talked, and led by example — not by title.
• Clarity beats complexity every time. Organizations don’t fail because they lack strategy. They fail because people don’t understand the strategy, don’t know what’s expected of them, or can’t see how their work connects to the bigger picture.
• People-centered businesses win. Not because it’s trendy, but because when you treat people like they matter — your employees, your customers, your partners — they show up differently. They care more. They do better work.
I’ve seen these principles work across industries, cultures, and continents. I’ve spoken Spanish on calls with teams in Latin America, navigated projects in Europe and Asia, learned to understand “Portunol” (that Portuguese-Spanish hybrid) while working in Brazil. I love experiencing different cultures, understanding how people think and work, and helping them solve real problems.
And I’ve realized: the work I find most fulfilling is helping people break through — the moments when I help someone see a path forward they couldn’t see before. When a leader finds their confidence. When a team finally clicks. When a business owner realizes they don’t have to do it all alone.
What InnerNorth Is About
InnerNorth is my way of focusing exclusively on that kind of work.
I’m building this practice to serve small businesses who need someone in their corner. Someone who understands what it’s like to navigate growth, organizational change, and leadership challenges without a massive corporate support system.
I offer two things: executive and professional coaching for leaders who want to grow, and management consulting for businesses tackling transformation, project escalations, or organizational clarity.
But more than that, InnerNorth is about service. I’ve learned over time that the more I pour into others, the more it fills me up. The more it heals me, honestly. Helping people grow, solve problems, and move forward with confidence — that’s what keeps me going.
Who This Is For
If you’re a business owner or leader who cares about doing things the right way, who values integrity over shortcuts, and who believes that people matter — this is for you.
If you’re trying to grow your business, lead your team, or navigate a tough transition and you don’t want generic advice from someone who’s never been in the trenches — this is for you.
If you want someone who’s honest, dependable, hard-working, and genuinely cares about your success — someone you’d actually want to grab a drink with after a long day — this is for you.
What’s Next
I’m not pretending to have all the answers. I’m not selling you a magic framework or promising overnight transformation. What I’m offering is real experience, honest guidance, and a commitment to showing up for the people I work with.
InnerNorth is just getting started. I’m still building, still refining, still figuring out exactly what this will become. But I know this much: I want to work with people who share my values, and I want to spend my time helping them win.
If that sounds like something you need, I’d love to hear from you.
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Orskan Vargas
Founder & Principal, InnerNorth
orskanvargas@innernorthgroup.com
